Syllabus – 8th Grade United States History
In this course, students will examine the political, economic, religious, social, intellectual, and artistic development of the United States from the arrival of the first American through Reconstruction. Throughout the course, an emphasis is placed on the development of social studies skills, critical thinking skills, geography skills, content for citizenship, and the multicultural nature of American society.
Your student has been given a textbook to take home and a “Grey Book” titled Mastering the Grade 8 Social Studies TEKS. This book has all vocabulary, TEKS, concept maps, and study cards for each unit of study. It is essential to study this material in order to pass the STAAR test in the spring.
First Six Weeks
Location and description of major physical features and regions
Reasons for exploration
Effect on Native American cultures
Founding of the English colonies
Celebrate Freedom Week
Development of regional differences
Origins of American democracy
Political and economic causes of the American Revolution
Events leading to the Revolutionary War
Second Six Weeks
Major events of the Revolutionary War
Ideas reflected in the Declaration of Independence
Strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Issues addressed during the Constitutional Convention
Ratification of the Constitution
Structure and function of the 3 branches of government
Amending the Constitution
Responsibilities and rights of citizens
Understanding the Bill of Rights
Third Six Weeks
Challenges faced by the new nation
Washington/Adams’s administration
Formation of political parties
Age of Jefferson
Industrial Revolution
Age of Jackson
Fourth Six Weeks
Territorial growth (Texas, Oregon Country, California)
War with Mexico (Mexican Cession,. Gadsden Purchase)
Immigration
Literature and Art
Fifth Six Weeks
Reform movements
Social and Economic differences between the North and the South
Political, Social and Economic Factors
Sectionalism
Causes of the Civil War
Civil War
Key Events of the Civil War
Sixth Six Weeks
Effects of the Civil War
Reconstruction
Rights and Responsibilities of U.S. citizens
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